The Sky Blues against Ipswich, The Foxes v The Rams, and Additional Football League Previews
Greetings for a busy night of EFL as well as international soccer action. We'll be covering major Championship clashes and those crucial final pool matches in the Afcon competition.
Introduction
Greetings to all. Welcome to what is arguably this second-to-last football clockwatch of the year. There’s an extensive Football League schedule, kicking off with Ipswich's trip to Coventry at 18:00, and we will also monitor a close watch on the two night fixtures from the first group at this Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco hosting Zambia as well as Mali facing Comoros.
Our primary attention will be on these games, all 19:45 start times unless stated.
Africa Cup of Nations Fixtures
- The Coelacanths versus Mali (19:00)
- The Copper Bullets versus Morocco (19:00)
Championship
- Coventry v The Tractor Boys (6pm)
- The Foxes v The Rams
- Middlesbrough v Hull
- The Lions v The Robins
- The Red Dragons versus Preston
League One
- Cardiff v Stevenage
Recent Team News
Coventry v Ipswich Confirmed Lineups
The early game, featuring the sides sitting first and third in the second tier, could be an exciting match. Here are the confirmed lineups.
Coventry City (a 4-2-3-1 formation) The goalkeeper; van Ewijk, Woolfenden, the defender, Brau; the midfielder, Grimes; the winger, Rudoni, the forward; Wright.
Subs: The backup keeper, Allen, Simms, the defender, Bidwell, the defender, Eccles, Perry, the player.
Ipswich (a 4-2-3-1 setup) Walton; Furlong, O’Shea, the defender, Greaves; the midfielder, Taylor; Walle, Nunez, the winger; Azon.
Subs: The goalkeeper, Young, Johnson, Humphreys, the midfielder, Burns, the forward, Philogene-Bidace, Akpom.
Referee Anthony Backhouse (Cumbria).
Africa Cup of Nations: Group A Scenarios
It's a tricky picture. It always is where only some third-placed teams progress. Here’s how things look before this evening's final round of matches.
- Morocco 4 points, +2 goal difference
- Mali 2 points, 0 goal difference (with 2 goals for)
- Zambia 2pts, GD0 (goals scored 1)
- The Coelacanths 1pt, GD-2
To summarize, Morocco is likely safe but will want to defeat Zambia to top their pool. Zambia likely requires at least a point versus the hosts. The island nation likely need to overcome their rivals, who should advance with a point.
Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what-have-yous.
Egypt's Match with Angola Latest
The final act of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations is being covered. If you don’t want to know the score, avoid following that coverage.
Championship Standings Snapshot
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 23 | 31 | 51 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 23 | 9 | 43 |
| 3 | Ipswich | 23 | 15 | 38 |
| 4 | Hull | 23 | 2 | 38 |
| 5 | Preston North End | 23 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 | Bristol City | 23 | 7 | 36 |
| 7 | Millwall | 23 | -6 | 36 |
| 8 | Watford | 23 | 4 | 35 |
| 9 | QPR | 23 | -2 | 35 |
| 10 | Stoke | 23 | 7 | 34 |
| 11 | Derby | 23 | 1 | 32 |
| 12 | Southampton | 23 | 4 | 31 |
| 13 | Wrexham | 23 | 2 | 31 |
| 14 | Leicester | 23 | -1 | 31 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 23 | 1 | 30 |
| 16 | West Brom | 23 | -5 | 28 |
| 17 | Charlton | 22 | -6 | 27 |
| 18 | Blackburn | 22 | -4 | 26 |
| 19 | Sheff Utd | 23 | -5 | 26 |
| 20 | Swansea | 23 | -7 | 26 |
| 21 | Oxford Utd | 23 | -8 | 22 |
| 22 | Portsmouth | 22 | -10 | 22 |
| 23 | Norwich | 23 | -9 | 21 |
| 24 | Sheff Wed | 22 | -27 | -8 |
